Ecclesia Peers

Columbine… Hitler… The Blind Side…

How have people molded you?

How have people molded you? How have they kept you From being who you were Created to be?

Jesus died because of our brokenness Jesus died for our brokenness

The cross was God's idea To restore relationship with the Father To begin restoring the brokenness in us

Church= his idea

Church= his idea Engage…to heal, restore, make whole

Church= his idea Represent…Jesus to a watching world

The challenge with Representing: We have to care more for God's leading than for the Opinions of Men

The Acts Effect…

A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet

Ananias and Sapphira Care what people think: They want the approval of men "Supersaints!"

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him The wife as well…

God is mean!

God is mean! They were willing to do Whatever they needed To have the acceptance of people

When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. God isn't exactly seeker-sensitive (And his people aren't hiding it)

And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women… By NOT worrying about people-pleasing But by following Jesus

…so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Head-trip for Peter- The praise of people could ruin him!

Peter's Fall= betrayal, embarrassing, epic fail What would people say?

Peter's Fall= betrayal, embarrassing, epic fail What would people say? If he worries about people He stops following Jesus Or lies about the past

Peter's Fall= betrayal, embarrassing, epic fail What would people say? God redeems his fall It becomes preparation For handling fame without arrogance

The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

Never underestimate the Treachery of those who care more For what people think of them Than for what is true

The apostles in prison God never says "Figure it out" He says "Trust me"

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” We can get so busy solving Our own problems That we miss seeing God work in our lives

“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” That might be kind of dangerous…

And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Set free to go, stand, speak For other's benefit Even though some might not like it

Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside” Who is that for?

Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.

And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people”

Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people What's missing?

Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people What's missing? "God, what do you want??

Original Motive: Envy of the Apostles Actions dictated by: Fear of the People These are the guys in prison…

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” What's their concern?

The killer doesn't want to be Known as a killer That makes him dangerous

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. To the degree I seek to please men I will refuse to follow God

The only way we can represent Jesus and his church Is to care more for what God says Than what people say

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him” Acts 5:1-32

Ananias/Sapphira: Lie to impress believers Religious Leaders: All actions dictated by "What People May Think" Imprisoned by the opinions of men

Apostles: Free to follow God Regardless of what anyone thinks *Even if it could mean torture or death

The difference?

The difference? And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him”

The Holy Spirit is the difference The Holy Spirit fills and empowers Those who obey God Instead of pleasing people

Who is shaping and molding you? If it encourages you towards God Welcome it! If it imprisons you Stand against it By the Power of God's Spirit

Do I know Jesus?

Am I filled with God's Spirit? the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him”

What matters more: What people think of me? What God calls me to?

Ambassadors - Not my home - Not my values - Not my future